Automatic gate device



Feb. 23, 1960 G. R. MADDEN AUTOMATIC GATE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledSept. 22, 1958 INVENTOR. 650265 //f/V w Arroz/Vey AUEMATI GAT DEVICEGeorge R. Madden, Appleton, Arlt.

Application September 22, 1958, Serial No. 762,388

4 Claims. (Cl. 39-22) This invention relates to gate mechanisms, and itparticularly relates to automatically actuated gate mechanisms.

There are various types of gate mechanisms of the automatic type now inuse. Although some varieties of these gate devices are mechanicallyoperated, the more popular type are those which are electricallyoperated as by means of a photoelectric cell or the like. Theseelectrically operated gate mechanisms are, however, quite expensive tomake and maintain and are subject to wiring defects and the like.Nevertheless, they have been generally preferable because of therelative complexity of prior mechanical gate devices and because oftheir general inefficiency and diiculty of maintenance.

It is one object to overcome the above and other disadvantages byproviding a mechanically-operated gate device which is relatively simplein construction and which does not become easily subject to disrepair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide amechanically-operated gate device which can be easily and cheaplyinstalled.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an improvedautomatic gate device, of the character described, that is easily andeconomically produced, which is sturdy in construction, and which ishighly efficient in operation.

With the above and related objects in view, this invention consists inthe details of construction and combination of parts, as will be morefully understood from the following description, when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a gate device ernbodying thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken on line 5 5 of Fig'. 4.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings wherein similar referencecharacters refer to similar parts, there is shown a gate device,generally designated 10, compris. ing a pair of gates 12 formed of agenerally rectangular frame enclosing a wire mesh closure material 13.

Each gate l?. is provided at its outer edge with a vertically-spacedpair of gate supporting rods 14. Each rod 14 extends through a pair ofaligned spiral cam slots 16 in opposite sides of a hollow post 13, onesuch post 18 being provided adjacent the outer edge of each gate 12, thesupporting rods 1'* thus acting as a cam means in the cam slots 16.These posts 1 are each supported on the upper surface of a hollow crossbase 20 and open down into the cross base 2h (as best shown in Fig. 4).The rods 14 each also extend, between the aligned spiral cam slots 16,through a transverse bore 22 in a vertical pintle 24 longitudinallymovable in the corresponding post 18.

Each pintle 24 rests on the free end of a link or lever 26 which ispivoted intermediate its length to a pivot pin or rod 28. There are twosuch levers 26 extending in opice posite, inclined directions (as bestshown in Fig. 4); each lever 26 being hingedly attached, as at 30, tothe corresponding end of a vertically-movable, floating treadle platform32.

The treadle platform 32 is provided with `a pair of oppositely-disposedtreadle supporting posts 34 which underlie and support a pair oftreadles 36 each of which includes side flanges 38 and an upper wearsurface 40. The side flanges 38 are adapted to extend into slots 42 inthe top wall of the base 20. The treadles 36 are elongated and arearranged in parallelism with each other, extending for a substantialdistance on both sides of the gates 12, but extend a longer distance onthe opening side 41 of gates 12, and are pivoted at 37 at their ends tothe sides of elongated base boxes 39, which base boxes extend toopposite sides from cross base 20.

In order to prevent the gates 12 from swinging beyond their closedpositions, a pair of stops 44 are positioned on the cross base 20, eachbeing adjacent the inner edge of each gate.

In the operation of the above-described device, when a person steps oneither of the treadles 36 or a car or other vehicle of a Weightexceeding a predetermined `level is driven onto the treadles from eitherside of the gates 12, the platform 32 is depressed at one end if onetreadle is depressed, or both ends of both treadles are depressed. Uponbeing depressed, the platform 32 acts to pivotvthe lever or levers 26around their respective pivot pins 28. These levers 26 then push up ontheir respective pintles 24. As the pintles 24 move up, they move thegate supporting rods 14 through the aligned spiral cam slots 16 whichpivots the gates 12 `outwardly into the open position. Upon the personor vehicle leaving the treadles 36, the pintles 24 move down under theforce of gravity acting on the gate or gates 12, moving the rods 14 inthe opposite direction in their spiral cam slots 16 to close the gates12 and moving the platform 32 upwardly.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, suchdescription is intended as being illustrative rather than hunting, sincethe invention may be variously embodied, and the scope of the inventionlis t0 be determined as claimed.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, whatis claimed is:

l. An automatically openable and closeable gate device comprising aswinging gate, said gate having an outer edge about which the gate isswung, said gate having outwardly extending gate supporting cam rods onits outer edge, a hollow support post for said gate adjacent its outeredge, said support post having oppositely aligned spiral cam slotsthrough which said cam rods extend, a pintle extending verticallythrough said hollow post, each said cam rods extending throughtransverse bores in said pintle between said oppositely aligned camslots, a longitudinal treadle member for said gate extending asubstantial distance at right angles to both sides of the closedposition of said gate, and lever means extending from beneath saidpintle to beneath said treadle means and pivoted intermediate saidpintle and treadle means whereby when a weight surpassing apredetermined value is placed on or moves over said treadle means, saidgate is opened and maintained open only while the weight remains thereonand is automatically closed when the weight is removed from the treadlemeans.

2. An automatically openable and closeable gate device comprising a pairof swinging gates, each gate having an inner edge adjacent each otherwhen in closed position an an outer edge about which the gate is swung,each gate having outwardly extending gate supporting cam rods on itsouter edge, a hollow support post for each gate adjacent its outer edge,each support post having oppositely aligned spiral cam slots throughwhich said cam rods esame-'7aextend, a pintle extending verticallythrough each hollow post, each said cam rods extending throughtransverse bores in said pintles between said oppositely aligned camslots, a longitudinal treadle member for each gate extending asubstantial distance at right angles to both sides of the closedposition of said gates, and lever means extending from beneath saidpintles to beneath said treadle means and pivoted intermediate saidpintles and treadle means whereby when a weight surpassing apredetermined value is placed on or moves over either treadle means, itsadjacent gate is opened and maintained open only while either weightremains thereon and is antomaticaliy closed when the weight is removedfrom the tl'eadle means.

3. The device of claim 2, and a hollow base extending between saidhollow gate posts beneath said treadle means, said lever means extendingin said hollow base.

4. The device of claim 3, and a oating platform linking said lever meansbetween said treadle means whereby a weight on either treadle meansopens both said gates.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,649,877 Walston NOV. 22, 1927 1,729,187 Rose Sept. 24, 1929 FOREIGNPATENTS 393,963 Great Britain June 12, 1933

